what is our solid base for rebuilding

We have options but the problem is we have not been using them. Yesterday was the prime example. Against 10 men and a goal down we were crying out for a more attacking formation, but the substitutions did nothing to change the game.

Like for like instead of going 4-3-3 or even 3-5-2. We seem to be chained to 4-4-2 no matter what the circumstances are.

 

a

agreed .. wgs seems to like to wait for the last 5 minutes b4 he changes things

 

i agree with the players mentioned to get rid, caldwell (liability) naylor(murder not celtic class) donati(lazy *) naka(lightweight, can anyone tell me the last time he made a telling contribution on a game, other than a free kick) venegoor(cart horse seen milk turn faster, couldnt lace hartsons boots) killen(say no more,why did we sign him)

im sorry to say this, i wouldnt get rid of him but mick is no captain, we need somone to kick arses on the park and he aint up to it.

next year we need a goalie(in case artur goes) 2 left backs, 2 centre backs, 2 midfielders and another striker to go with skippy, samaras(if he stays and hutchison

 

We do have a good base for the future and one thing that I think even the most staunch anti strachan man would say that he is taking a very long term view and bringing in lots of young players with great potential.
This is probably his biggest problem actually - sacrificing the current for the future.

I'm not just talking about the players we have - the view for the whole structure of the club is very long term.

We are trying to play a style of football that cant be mastered in one or even two seasons.

Patient, passing style can take years to be successful,
The new training complex and academy,
marketing in the Far East and America,
loads of new, more scientific coaches have joined over the past two years.

The club as a whole is very long term now and I do really believe that in 5 - 10 years we will reap huge benifits from this.

The problem is that this seems to have happened at the expense of the short term and with the exception of a few games in the CL, this season has been an absolute disgrace.

 

the fans?

 

totally agree. he is finally looking the player he was cracked up to be. Mick on the other hand is a caber *.

 

Do you really prefer petty point scoring against other TC posters than talking about football?

 

We have a decent squad here.The only ones that I'd get rid of would be Balde.Gravesen,Virgo,Pressley,Killen,Mark Brown and the manager.

 

we had the strongest squad on paper but failed to deliver

 

i agree, i like most of our players... bring in another CB to make it more competitive.

Bring in an Attacking Central Midfielder like Ireland out of Man City perhaps, tho he is young and unfinished like Brown. Honestly, if I see Brown hit the post or just nearly miss one more goal I'm going to break something. Let riordan play for McDonald's position and Samarras play for JVOH's.

I hate to finally admit it, but Strachan has either have to get this team in order or get out. I've supported him up until now but his style is not working in the SPL. It seems to have done better in Europe (beating Milan, Shaktar, scoring 2 goals against BArca) but its not cracking the defensively focused formations we face in league.

 

Listen Keltoi you are not slow with your opinions. You post reams stating your opinion. Now, when your opinion has been proven to go * up, I've to pretend you didn't say these things. Sorry, no can do.

On topic

I'd keep Boruc, Hinkel, Caddis (he has done nothing wrong), Mick, McGeady, Skippy, Hartley, Samaras, Riordan (maybe), Gravesen (maybe), Robson.

 

Ok Martin. I dont want to spiral off into some spat. I have no objection to debating WGS further or our style of football. It was just the nature of the approach. I have made my views on WGS after the events and revelations of the weekend clear on a few threads today. I cant comment on the game as I didnt watch or even listen to it this weekend and have to date see about 3 minutes of highlights.

on topic

I think Wilson will prove to be a very useful player too, while caldwell is getting close to finding the form and ability to pass that got him signed in the first place. He has looked much better than Mick recently. its a shame for Mick but he is just far too immobile for Celtic level. I also think that we have enough good youth in the reserves that a bit of patience could save us a lot of money. I really rate McGowan and Sheridan.

 

Agree 100%!!!

 

caldwell is part of the problem! Just no way near good enough and nor is the big captain beside him!

 

I don't know enough about the reserves to pass comment. Caldwell has to go though. I do accept that he has been one of our better players in the last 3-4 weeks. But he has been awful for a long time and he is weak in the tackle and poor in the air. Even if his distribution improved these failings are too much for a successful team to carry. Mick has been very poor recently (I think his bottle has crashed) but overall I think Mick has been pretty steady and merits a place in the team with a more experienced , and higher quality, CB beside him. I'll give Caldwell credit though - he has had pelters for a long time now but he has never hid on the pitch and now when things have got worse he has kept going and put in some of his better performances. Caldwell is not a CB for me. In a 4-1-4-1 formation he might be good in front of the defence.

 

I think that maybe Odea's best position also.

 

O'Dea in front of the defence????

 

If we were to keep Caldwell it has to be as a holding midfielder, his main asset is his passing I just don't think he clears the ball well enough to be a CB.

Still think Mick deserves a chance to play alongside a strong experienced CB although part of me feels he maybe should be relieved of his Captaincy duties because I think it's affected his game.

 

Aye hes great in the tackle has decent pace and his use of the ball is pretty decent. He is not small but maybe not tall enough for CB so DM maybe an ideal slot for him.

 

Just cant see O'Dea in midfield. He is uncomfortable at left back because he isn't comfortable moving forward into more advanced areas. Agreed his passing is good but that is at centre half when he gets a bit of time on the ball without great pressure on him. Different story playing in midfield which is much more crowded and ball has to be moved on quicker. Also does he have the energy to play in midfield?